spratt89

Adrienne Shelly's final script The Morgan Stories will be made into a feature film.

The movie, to be produced by Shelly's widower Andy Ostroy, follows three sisters over the course of several decades.

Ostroy told The Hollywood Reporter that Morgan Stories was the best thing Shelly had ever written, saying: "It's a little bigger than some of her other work. If Adrienne's previous movies were comedies with a little bit of drama, this is a drama with a little bit of comedy."

Filming has just been completed on another Shelly-scripted project Serious Moonlight, a black comedy directed by her Waitress co-star Cheryl Hines.

Shelly began her career as an actress in Hal Hartley's indie film The Unbelievable Truth before moving behind the camera to write and direct Waitress. She was murdered in 2006 by a construction worker robbing her New York apartment.

spratt89

Justin Long has signed up to lead the cast of New Line's romantic comedy Going The Distance.

The movie centres on a couple involved in a long-distance relationship who decide to break off their romance and date people closer to home, says Variety.

Nanette Burstein (American Teen) will direct the movie from a script by first-timer Geoff LaTulippe.

Long recently appeared in He's Just Not That Into You and can next be seen in Sam Raimi horror Drag Me To Hell.

spratt89

Director Kevin MacDonald is glad Brad Pitt pulled out of upcoming movie State Of Play - because the Hollywood star is too good-looking to play the role.

Pitt was originally due to star in the big-screen thriller as a put-upon journalist - but the actor quit during pre-production, citing concerns with the script.

Russell Crowe was drafted in as a late replacement to star opposite Ben Affleck's congressman - and Macdonald is adamant the actor's rough features are more suited to the role.

He says, "In a way, I was lucky it didn't work out with Brad. The relationship between the journalist and the politician was meant to be between somebody who feels inferior, who's a bit of a schlump, who kind of can't get a girlfriend, and somebody he's looking up to and admires - his polished politician friend.

"That is not the dynamic of a Brad Pitt. He's not looking up to anyone thinking 'Oh, I wish I could have your girlfriend'."

spratt89

Tom Cruise has reportedly said that a new Mission: Impossible film is in the works.

According to Ain't It Cool News, the actor appeared on Japanese show Smap Smap and revealed that he will reprise his role as spy Ethan Hunt for Mission: Impossible 4.

Cruise allegedly added that he is looking to stage an action sequence for the movie in downtown Tokyo.

A big screen remake of the popular '60s TV series, Cruise's first Mission: Impossible outing was in 1996 under the direction of Brian De Palma. Two sequels, helmed by John Woo and J.J. Abrams, followed in 2000 and 2006.

The Mission: Impossible franchise has grossed more than $1 billion for Paramount.

spratt89

Clive Owen has denied that the role of James Bond has ever been part of his plans as an actor.

The Duplicity star was asked by thelondonpaper if had ever uttered the catchphrase "Bond, James Bond" in front of a mirror.

Owen replied: "Definitely not. It's never been on my agenda.

"All the talk that was going around was just media speculation and I'm really happy doing what I'm doing."

He added that he has "no idea" about the possibility of a sequel to Sin City but said that he had a "great time" working with director Robert Rodriguez.

spratt89

Rapper 50 Cent has agreed to play the role of Hale Caesar in upcoming Sylvester Stallone action film The Expendables.

Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker was originally tapped to play the part, but he was forced to walk away when a month-long shooting delay interfered with his other commitments, Ain't It Cool News reports.

The Expendables is written and directed by Stallone. He also stars in the film along with Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham and Jet Li.

Responding to criticism of the switch, he said: "The anger of the casting of 50 Cent is understandable, but not fair.

"If a man can communicate in one medium, he can communicate in another if his strengths are brought out and he has the support of well-wishers. So, trust me, the change from Forest Whitaker to 50 Cent is a good one."

spratt89

Director Jon Favreau wouldn't confirm reports that Mickey Rourke will join the cast of the much-anticipated Iron Man 2, but he assured EW that "everyone will be happy with who've we got." Speaking from the red carpet of the March 17 premiere of I Love You, Man in L.A., Favreau acknowledged being a "very big fan" of Rourke -- and not just because of his work in The Wrestler. "Sin City was when he got on the geek map," Favreau said. "The Comic-Con crowd knew about his rebirth back from Robert Rodriguez' film."

With shooting set to begin within a month, Favreau said he planned to gather the Iron Man 2 cast this week for a little bonding and a whole lot of rehearsing. "I'm getting the old-timers together again and introducing them to new cast members," he added. "We're gonna shake the Sherlock outta junior! I'm a little nervous because the first one set a high bar but we have put our all into this so far."

Favreau acknowledged the script wasn't complete but "we have a rough basic outline [that is] always evolving as we bring in actors and have rehearsals. I like to adjust it for the specific actors but the action sequences are very far along." (Reporting by Carrie Bell)

spratt89

Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman have been tapped to star in a romantic comedy, says Variety.

Paramount emerged with the rights to Leanne Shapton's book Important Artifacts And Personal Property From The Collection Of Lenore Doolan And Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion And Jewelry after a heated bidding war.

The book is presented as an auction catalogue with more than 300 entries charting the four-year relationship between photographer Hal Morris and New York Times food columnist Lenore Doolan. Shapton uses items such as clothes and emails to illustrate the pair's romance.

Portman, who will serve as a producer through her Handsomecharlie Films company, took the book to Pitt, who agreed to star and produce with his Plan B firm.

spratt89

T.I. has denied rumours that Chris Brown has been removed from the marketing of upcoming movie Takers due to his alleged assault on Rihanna.

Formerly titled Bone Deep, Takers is a heist film staring Brown, T.I., Matt Dillon and Hayden Christensen. T.I. is also an executive producer for the production.

"Nah man, that can't be further from the truth. There's no validity to that statement. I'm an executive producer... and I ain't put forth no sort of order or request, man," T.I. told RapRadar.

He added: "It's very, very premature to jump to such a conclusion given that none of these matters have been resolved. No-one has been tried or convicted or nothing like that. I'm not going to jump to no conclusions."

Takers is scheduled for an early 2010 release.

spratt89

90210 actor Tristan Wilds has signed up to star in war drama Red Tails.

The movie is inspired by the 332nd Fighter Group, a team of African American escort pilots operating in World War II who were dubbed the Red Tails.

Wilds has been cast as Ray 'Ray Gun' Knight, a pilot who overcomes prejudices in the US military to fly alongside his friend Marty, says The Hollywood Reporter.

George Lucas, who has been developing the project for more than two decades, will executive produce Red Tails. John Ridley will direct from Anthony Hemingway's script.

spratt89

Chris Pine is allegedly the frontrunner to land the lead role in Green Lantern.

Pine, who can next be seen playing a young James T. Kirk in Star Trek, is top of Warner Bros' list to play the pilot-turned-superhero, according to IESB.net.

Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation) is also reportedly a candidate, while Mad Men's John Hamm and Firefly star Nathan Fillion were considered but have been ruled out because the studio is looking for an actor younger than 30.

Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) will direct Green Lantern in Australia later this year for a December 17, 2010 release.

spratt89

Pete Segal has signed up to direct Ben Stiller comedy Meet The Little Fockers, according to Variety.

The Get Smart helmer replaces Jay Roach, who directed the first two instalments in the franchise, Meet The Parents and Meet The Fockers.

The script is currently being penned by Along Came Polly writer John Hamburg. Stiller and De Niro were confirmed to return for the project last month.

Stiller's comedy franchise is one of Universal's most successful, taking a combined total of $820 million at the worldwide box office.

The plot for the third instalment is expected to revolve around the children of Gaylord "Greg" Focker (Stiller) and his wife Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo), and the couple's continuing attempts to please disapproving father-in-law Jack (De Niro). Owen Wilson, who had cameos in the first two films as Pam's ex-lover Kevin Rawley, is expected to have a larger role in the new film.

spratt89

Mark Bomback has been hired to adapt Ben Macintyre's book Agent Zigzag for Tom Hanks, reports Variety.

Zigzag is an account of the World War II career of Edward Arnold Chapman. A criminal trained as a spy by the Nazis, Chapman contacted the British government and began operating as a double agent.

Chapman's life was the subject of the 1966 film Triple Cross, which starred Christopher Plummer as the spy.

Bomback's next movie Race To Witch Mountain opens in cinemas on April 10.

spratt89

Mary J. Blige has joined the cast of Tyler Perry's new movie I Can Do Bad All By Myself.

The nine-time Grammy winner will star alongside Taraji P. Henson in the feature, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Lionsgate production is scheduled for release on September 11.

I Can Do Bad is based on one of Perry's early plays. Blige will apparently play a nightclub manager and singer in the film.

She is also currently working on a new studio album, which is expected to be released later this year.

spratt89

Michael C. Hall, Ben Schwartz, Rainn Wilson and Sarah Silverman have been tapped to star in independent comedy Peep World.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie centres on dysfunctional siblings who clash when one pens a novel using them as the basis for the main characters.

Hall and Schwartz have closed deals to appear in the Barry Blaustein-directed project, while Wilson and Silverman are in talks for roles.

Hall and Silverman are the stars of TV shows Dexter and The Sarah Silverman Program, while Wilson is among the ensemble cast of The Office.

spratt89

Michael Sheen has again rejected accusations from some critics that he is an "impressionist".

The actor plays late football manager Brian Clough in new film The Damned United and has also portrayed David Frost and Tony Blair in biopics in the past.

Sheen told The Guardian: "It's wrong. I hope people will be able to think about it a bit more and see it's not an impression. I don't do impressions.

"With absolutely no disrespect, give the script of The Queen or Frost/Nixon or Damned United to Rory Bremner or Alastair McGowan and let's see. But likewise I could try to do what they do and I would look a t**t because I can't do it."

The Damned United is released in the UK on March 27.

spratt89

Quantum Of Solace star Olga Kurylenko has revealed that she would love to reprise her Bond girl character in another film.

The actress, who played agent Camille Montes in last year's blockbuster, told The Mirror that she would not turn down the opportunity to appear alongside Daniel Craig for a second time.

"It won't be for me to decide," she said. "But I'd go for it because last year was so much fun. Why would I refuse the fun again?"

However, the Ukrainian-born star admitted that training for the movie had been tough, saying: "Outside of work, I've done nothing daring, though. I don't even go on rollercoasters. In character, you have to work through the fear and the nausea.

"To be a Bond girl you need courage, charm, determination and feistiness."

The 29-year-old added: "I'm a different Bond girl for two reasons. I don't die, and I don't sleep with James. It is cool."

spratt89

Vin Diesel Confirms on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross that the script for a third Riddick movie is almost done and that they should start filming early next year.

spratt89

Ray Stevenson has confirmed that a movie version of HBO's historical drama Rome will be made.

Speaking to Movieweb, the actor revealed that he will reprise his role as soldier Titus Pullo in the feature film.

"It is no longer a smoke and mirrors rumour," Stevenson said of the movie. "The script is in full development. As you are probably aware, this is a pretty strange process. We could go into production in a year, or it could be as quick as six months. Who knows?

"It will happen. At least it is no longer a rumour. From what I have heard, they are nearing the end of script development. We shall see."

Stevenson added that co-creator Bruno Heller is steering the big screen Rome project, saying: "I don't think anybody else could write the movie. It will be Bruno at the helm. That guy has a soft spot for Pullo and Vorenus. I don't think he will let the ball drop. I don't think he will disappoint."

Rome ran for two seasons on HBO from 2005 to 2007.

spratt89

Ron Howard's forthcoming movie Angels & Demons could be facing a boycott by The Vatican.

The centre of the Roman Catholic Church already banned the director from using its holy buildings for the follow-up to The Da Vinci Code.

The Vatican's official newspaper Awenire has run a story saying that the Church "cannot approve" of the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

However, while the Vatican may call for a boycott, Archbishop Velasio De Paolis has warned that bringing attention to the issue could simply make the film more popular, claims newspaper La Stampa.

The Vatican press office declined to comment.